Vinny Kreyling
Premium Member
Frank,
I think you will have to settle for a slow STREAM to keep it consistent.
I think you will have to settle for a slow STREAM to keep it consistent.
Calc Reactor Effluent Control
- Thread starter Editour2
- Start date
James,
I'm going to test out the blueline pump and if that works consistently then maybe I'll invest in the mag2....the blueline pump is pretty bulky and is an external pump.
Frank
thanks for the offer....I have 2 different types of microvalves and both are inconsistent. I am using RO tubing...does yours fit with that or only with soft tubing?
Vinny Kreyling
Premium Member
Thanks Vin.....I'll have to read through his "usage" notes. Still need to have a constant on the effluent flow or the alkalinity will vary....which is causing problems with growth and sustainability of my corals.
Frank
mbg75
New member
Not making the meeting. I'm right around the corner from u.
Hey Jim,
I'm not sure what it's called but I'm using a 1/4" valve I picked up from Home Depot.....it seems to keep the flow rate pretty steady (when it's working) but yet you still have to keep an eye on it.....not really happy that it may at some point decide to slow down on it's own. I thought that the nice gate valve I purchased would solve the issue but it didn't. I've tried 3 or 4 different valves. Regarding the probe I am going to purchase one on ebay that seems to be made in China however is being sold and shipped from Canada.....a little more for shipping but gets here faster....it costs around $22 w/shipping. I temporarily switched my ph monitor probe to the calc reactor until I get the replacement.
Frank
Mine has been acting up lately.So I put the needle valve back in,but this time I placed valve very close as it leaves reactor.Its been about a week and so far so good.
Just wondering if you found a solution that works on your set up.
This is the valve that I paid too much for
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/hayward-needle-valve-2.html
Valve in place
Just wondering if you found a solution that works on your set up.
This is the valve that I paid too much for
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/hayward-needle-valve-2.html
Valve in place
divebri69
New member
I just want to ask you guys a question....
I'm running an older Reef Octopus dual tower calcium reactor.
The feed water is from a dedicated power head (a small one!) in the sump.
Reef Octopus instructions specified that, and even said to make sure the air intake opening on the pump was unobstructed so extra flow could blow out that way.
Do I understand that you're running inlet water to the reactors from your external return pumps? Isn't that a lot of pressure?
I'm just curious here, 'cause the company that Reef Octopus made such a point of using a small powerhead (like a maxijet) to feed it....?
Thanks,
Brian
I'm running an older Reef Octopus dual tower calcium reactor.
The feed water is from a dedicated power head (a small one!) in the sump.
Reef Octopus instructions specified that, and even said to make sure the air intake opening on the pump was unobstructed so extra flow could blow out that way.
Do I understand that you're running inlet water to the reactors from your external return pumps? Isn't that a lot of pressure?
I'm just curious here, 'cause the company that Reef Octopus made such a point of using a small powerhead (like a maxijet) to feed it....?
Thanks,
Brian
Mine has been acting up lately.So I put the needle valve back in,but this time I placed valve very close as it leaves reactor.Its been about a week and so far so good.
Just wondering if you found a solution that works on your set up.
This is the valve that I paid too much for
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/hayward-needle-valve-2.html
Valve in place
Currently I am using 2 of the valves that is pictured in front of your CO2 cannister. One valve controls the feed to the calc reactor and the other controls the output of the effluent. I tried using 2 valves for the effluent output, a devoted pump to the calc reactor, (currently it is fed by my Dart return pump), a micro valve, the valve that came with my reactor and this John Guest gate valve $12:
http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=32220&catid=662
which was $25 on BRS....same valve.
Nothing really has worked to my satisfaction however my current setup seems to be the most consistent of the bunch.
Brian,
I have my Dart return pump feeding my skimmer, calc reactor and frag tank (besides returning to the DT).....I can regulate the intake with a ball valve so I don't believe that is the issue. I tried running a dedicated pump to the calc reactor however it did not resolve my issue, (same results).
Frank
When I initially set mine up,I had a issue with leaks due to the pressure build up.
I looked into a pressure regulator but the only one I could find(BRS) wasn't designed for SW use.They said it was designed for RO DI systems.
I wound up tweaking/tightening all connections and it hasn't been an issue.Hate to think if pressure was to build it could pop the top.
I also think the Dart is more of a high volume and not a high pressure pump.
I looked into a pressure regulator but the only one I could find(BRS) wasn't designed for SW use.They said it was designed for RO DI systems.
I wound up tweaking/tightening all connections and it hasn't been an issue.Hate to think if pressure was to build it could pop the top.
I also think the Dart is more of a high volume and not a high pressure pump.
